Re: Luggage and Packing
If one packs correctly the "Bursting open" scenario should never happen.
As you are going on a cruise I will offer some practical tips for cruise packing.
1. Always always strap your cases no matter what size they are. Never rely on zips and clasps as they are not reliable. Buy strong straps like seat belt material and strap cases both vertically and horizontally.
2. If straps have "clunk click" fasteners at each end then use long cable ties to secure them in place. These plastic clunk click fasteners are weak and will pull open with force and heavy handling so cable ties are essential. You can cut the ties off with nail clippers once baggage reaches your cabin.
3. Print an A4 sheet of paper for each piece of luggage you are sending down. On that paper put the ship name, cruise number, your cabin number, your name and a mobile phone number. If your case gets lost (luggage labels rip off etc) then if someone opens it up they will know where to send it.
4. Split your clothes evenly between different cases
By this I mean don't put all dresses or all underwear in one case. Assume one case might go missing. So be sure to have some of everything in any given case so you can easily cope until the first port where you can buy more clothes
5. If you have space, pack some thin hangars as there are never enough in a cabin.
6. Leave dresses on their hangars and simply roll them up and put in the case. This will prevent them being badly creased.
7. Secure any liquids or creams in sealed plastic bags. E.g. shampoos, body creams, perfumes etc. Port handlers are rough with baggage and cases can be stacked 10 high which is massive weight if your case is on the bottom.
8. When cruising choose really bright luggage. Ideally bright yellow or pink for ladies. At the end of the cruise you will find your cases amongst the 1000s of others extremely easily and quickly. Black, brown or gret cases are a nightmare to find. 90% of people have them.
9. Buy bright colored strapping or ribbon and tie loops of it to your luggage handles. This will make it easier to find your cases amongst 1000s of others.
10. If space is tight, put small items inside your shoes to utilise that lost space.
11. Secure all case zippers with padlocks. Padlocks are by no means secure (I could get into just about any padlock in seconds) but they might deter a thief enough to go for a case without padlocks.
12. Always pack some smaller bags in your case about the same width as your case. The kind of bag that will sit on top of your case and slide over the carry handle. You will likely buy souvenirs and other things during your trip and may need this extra space to carry them home.
The above should see you have trouble free cruising.
Best